![\"\"](\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2011\/08\/aug-7.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\nAbout half (49%) of Americans now disapprove of the job Obama is doing, while just 43% approve. This is little changed from last month (48% disapprove, 44% approve), but reflects a substantial drop from the period following the killing of Osama bin Laden in May.<\/p>\n\n
Republican assessments of Obama\u2014already negative\u2014have continued to sour. Today, just 9% say they approve of the job Obama is doing, down from 15% last month.\u00a0 Obama\u2019s ratings among independents and Democrats are little changed since last month. Still, just 39% of independents approve of his handling of the job, while 52% disapprove. About three-quarters of Democrats (77%) continue to approve of Obama.<\/p>\n\n
More Strong Disapproval of Obama<\/h3>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2011\/08\/aug-8.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\nAs disapproval of Obama\u2019s job performance has grown, an intensity gap also has emerged. Americans are now significantly more likely to say they very strongly disapprove of Obama\u2019s performance than to say they very strongly approve (38% vs. 26%). From early 2010 through March of this year, about as many strongly approved of the president\u2019s performance as strongly disapproved.<\/p>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2011\/08\/aug-9.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\nNearly three-quarters of Republicans (73%) strongly disapprove of Obama, and this rises to 81% among conservative Republicans (compared with 54% among moderate and liberal Republicans). Far fewer Democrats (53%) strongly approve of the way Obama is handling his job as president; 60% of liberal Democrats strongly approve, as do 48% of conservative and moderate Democrats. By about two-to-one (39% to 20%), more independents strongly disapprove than strongly approve of Obama\u2019s performance).<\/p>\n\n
Most African Americans (64%) continue to strongly approve of Obama\u2019s performance. By contrast, just 19% of whites and 26% of Hispanics strongly approve of Obama\u2019s job performance. People younger than 30 are the only age group in which about as many strongly approve of Obama\u2019s job performance as strongly disapprove (30% and 21%, respectively). Among older age groups far more strongly disapprove than strongly approve.<\/p>\n\n
Most Continue to Approve of Obama on Terrorism<\/h3>\n\n
Public evaluations of Obama\u2019s handling of the economy and the budget deficit have also grown more negative in recent months. Today, six-in-ten (60%) disapprove of his performance on each of these issues. Americans\u2019 ratings of Obama\u2019s handling of the threat of terrorism continue remain more positive: 56% currently approve, about the same percentage as throughout much of his presidency. Obama received a significant bump on this measure, which has since receded, the day following the announcement of the killing of Osama bin Laden.<\/p>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2011\/08\/aug-10.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\nAbout three-in-ten independents approve of Obama\u2019s handling of the economy (30%) and the budget deficit (28%). Roughly half of independents (53%) approve of Obama\u2019s job dealing with terrorist threats.<\/p>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2011\/08\/aug-11.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\nVery few Republicans (7% each) approve of Obama\u2019s handling of the economy or the budget deficit; more Republicans (33%) have positive views of Obama\u2019s handling of terrorism. Among Democrats as well, Obama gets much better ratings on terrorism (82%) than for his handling of the economy (64%) or the budget deficit (58%).<\/p>\n\n
Obama\u2019s Leadership Image Slips<\/h3>\n\n
Americans continue to have positive personal impressions of Barack Obama along most dimensions. Majorities say he stands up for what he believes in (71%), cares about people like them (63%), and most view him as a good communicator (75%), well-informed (63%) and trustworthy (59%). Public assessments of these traits are relatively unchanged in recent months.<\/p>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2011\/08\/aug-12.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\nBut evaluations of Obama\u2019s leadership have dropped off in recent months. Today, the public is divided over whether Obama is a strong leader (49% strong leader, 47% not a strong leader), and more now say he is not able to get things done than say he is (50% not able, 44% able).<\/p>\n\n
Among independents, the balance of opinion on these dimensions has shifted. Today, more say Obama is not a strong leader than say he is (51% vs. 44%); in May, that balance was reversed (52% strong leader, 41% not strong). And a majority of independents (55%) now say Obama is not able to get things done; in May, just 43% said this.<\/p>\n\n
Views of Obama\u2019s ability to get things done have also declined among Republicans (20% now say he can get things done, compared with 31% in May) and Democrats (67% today, 79% in May). And although three-quarters of Democrats (75%) continue to say Obama is a strong leader, this has dropped 10 points since May. Among Democrats, liberal Democrats continue to rate Obama more highly on these characteristics than do conservative and moderate Democrats.<\/p>\n\n
Wide Partisan Gaps in Views of Obama\u2019s Personal Traits<\/h3>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2011\/08\/aug-13.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\nAcross the board, Democrats express much more positive views of Obama\u2019s traits and personal qualities than do Republicans. The partisan gap is particularly pronounced in opinions about whether Obama is trustworthy.<\/p>\n\n
Nearly nine-in-ten Democrats (88%) and a majority of independents (57%) view Obama as trustworthy. That compares with just 29% of Republicans; 68% say Obama is not trustworthy. The partisan gaps in views of Obama\u2019s personal traits are nearly as wide in opinions about whether Obama is a strong leader (51 points) cares about people like me (50 points) and able to get things done (47 points).<\/p>\n\n
Nonetheless, Republicans have positive views of some of Obama\u2019s traits. Majorities see Obama as a good communicator (60%), as someone who stands up for what he believes in (58%) and as warm and friendly (52%).<\/p>\n\n
Plurality Wants Obama to Challenge GOP<\/h3>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2011\/08\/aug-14.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\nA 37% plurality now contends that Obama should challenge the Republicans in Congress more often; 25% say Obama should go along with GOP leaders more frequently, while about the same percentage (26%) say he is handling the situation about right. In April, fewer (27%) said Obama should challenge GOP congressional leaders more often.<\/p>\n\n
Democrats, in particular, are now more likely to say Obama should challenge Republicans in Congress more often. Today, a majority of <\/p>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2011\/08\/aug-15.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\nDemocrats (57%) say Obama should challenge the GOP more frequently; in April, just 39% said this.<\/p>\n\n
And there is little difference among Democrats on this question. Liberal Democrats and their conservative and moderate counterparts are about equally likely to want to see Obama stand up more to Republicans (60%, 55% respectively).<\/p>\n\n
Little Partisan Cooperation Seen<\/h3>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2011\/08\/aug-16.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\nFully 75% of the public says that Obama and Republican congressional leaders are not working together to address the important issues facing the country. Just 21% say the two sides are cooperating. The view that Obama and Republican leaders are not working together has grown in recent months. In February, 65% said they were not working together, 27% said they were.<\/p>\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\nAs disapproval of Obama\u2019s job performance has grown, an intensity gap also has emerged. Americans are now significantly more likely to say they very strongly disapprove of Obama\u2019s performance than to say they very strongly approve (38% vs. 26%). From early 2010 through March of this year, about as many strongly approved of the president\u2019s performance as strongly disapproved.<\/p>\n\n Nearly three-quarters of Republicans (73%) strongly disapprove of Obama, and this rises to 81% among conservative Republicans (compared with 54% among moderate and liberal Republicans). Far fewer Democrats (53%) strongly approve of the way Obama is handling his job as president; 60% of liberal Democrats strongly approve, as do 48% of conservative and moderate Democrats. By about two-to-one (39% to 20%), more independents strongly disapprove than strongly approve of Obama\u2019s performance).<\/p>\n\n Most African Americans (64%) continue to strongly approve of Obama\u2019s performance. By contrast, just 19% of whites and 26% of Hispanics strongly approve of Obama\u2019s job performance. People younger than 30 are the only age group in which about as many strongly approve of Obama\u2019s job performance as strongly disapprove (30% and 21%, respectively). Among older age groups far more strongly disapprove than strongly approve.<\/p>\n\n Public evaluations of Obama\u2019s handling of the economy and the budget deficit have also grown more negative in recent months. Today, six-in-ten (60%) disapprove of his performance on each of these issues. Americans\u2019 ratings of Obama\u2019s handling of the threat of terrorism continue remain more positive: 56% currently approve, about the same percentage as throughout much of his presidency. Obama received a significant bump on this measure, which has since receded, the day following the announcement of the killing of Osama bin Laden.<\/p>\n\n About three-in-ten independents approve of Obama\u2019s handling of the economy (30%) and the budget deficit (28%). Roughly half of independents (53%) approve of Obama\u2019s job dealing with terrorist threats.<\/p>\n\n Very few Republicans (7% each) approve of Obama\u2019s handling of the economy or the budget deficit; more Republicans (33%) have positive views of Obama\u2019s handling of terrorism. Among Democrats as well, Obama gets much better ratings on terrorism (82%) than for his handling of the economy (64%) or the budget deficit (58%).<\/p>\n\n Americans continue to have positive personal impressions of Barack Obama along most dimensions. Majorities say he stands up for what he believes in (71%), cares about people like them (63%), and most view him as a good communicator (75%), well-informed (63%) and trustworthy (59%). Public assessments of these traits are relatively unchanged in recent months.<\/p>\n\n But evaluations of Obama\u2019s leadership have dropped off in recent months. Today, the public is divided over whether Obama is a strong leader (49% strong leader, 47% not a strong leader), and more now say he is not able to get things done than say he is (50% not able, 44% able).<\/p>\n\n Among independents, the balance of opinion on these dimensions has shifted. Today, more say Obama is not a strong leader than say he is (51% vs. 44%); in May, that balance was reversed (52% strong leader, 41% not strong). And a majority of independents (55%) now say Obama is not able to get things done; in May, just 43% said this.<\/p>\n\n Views of Obama\u2019s ability to get things done have also declined among Republicans (20% now say he can get things done, compared with 31% in May) and Democrats (67% today, 79% in May). And although three-quarters of Democrats (75%) continue to say Obama is a strong leader, this has dropped 10 points since May. Among Democrats, liberal Democrats continue to rate Obama more highly on these characteristics than do conservative and moderate Democrats.<\/p>\n\n Across the board, Democrats express much more positive views of Obama\u2019s traits and personal qualities than do Republicans. The partisan gap is particularly pronounced in opinions about whether Obama is trustworthy.<\/p>\n\n Nearly nine-in-ten Democrats (88%) and a majority of independents (57%) view Obama as trustworthy. That compares with just 29% of Republicans; 68% say Obama is not trustworthy. The partisan gaps in views of Obama\u2019s personal traits are nearly as wide in opinions about whether Obama is a strong leader (51 points) cares about people like me (50 points) and able to get things done (47 points).<\/p>\n\n Nonetheless, Republicans have positive views of some of Obama\u2019s traits. Majorities see Obama as a good communicator (60%), as someone who stands up for what he believes in (58%) and as warm and friendly (52%).<\/p>\n\n A 37% plurality now contends that Obama should challenge the Republicans in Congress more often; 25% say Obama should go along with GOP leaders more frequently, while about the same percentage (26%) say he is handling the situation about right. In April, fewer (27%) said Obama should challenge GOP congressional leaders more often.<\/p>\n\n Democrats, in particular, are now more likely to say Obama should challenge Republicans in Congress more often. Today, a majority of <\/p>\n\n Democrats (57%) say Obama should challenge the GOP more frequently; in April, just 39% said this.<\/p>\n\n And there is little difference among Democrats on this question. Liberal Democrats and their conservative and moderate counterparts are about equally likely to want to see Obama stand up more to Republicans (60%, 55% respectively).<\/p>\n\n Fully 75% of the public says that Obama and Republican congressional leaders are not working together to address the important issues facing the country. Just 21% say the two sides are cooperating. The view that Obama and Republican leaders are not working together has grown in recent months. In February, 65% said they were not working together, 27% said they were.<\/p>\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\nMost Continue to Approve of Obama on Terrorism<\/h3>\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\nObama\u2019s Leadership Image Slips<\/h3>\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\nWide Partisan Gaps in Views of Obama\u2019s Personal Traits<\/h3>\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\nPlurality Wants Obama to Challenge GOP<\/h3>\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\nLittle Partisan Cooperation Seen<\/h3>\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2011\/08\/aug-17.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n